THE millions of pesos remitted from China to a company linked to Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s husband could have been intended to finance her 2028 presidential campaign, political propaganda or political machinery, according to a House prosecution official who called for an investigation into the ultimate beneficiaries of the funds.
House prosecution adviser and spokesperson Ace Barbers raised the possibility on Wednesday as questions persisted over the P319 million in China-linked remittances received by Cale88 Foods Corp.
“Hindi rin awawala sa isipan natin na ito ay maaaring pinansyal na suporta sa pagtakbo ng ating pangalawang pangulo. Or hindi kaya, eh kasama sa pagpondo ng mga political propaganda, o hindi kaya ay political machinery ng ating Pangalawang Pangulo,” Barbers explained.
Barbers’ remarks raise a possible electoral-financing angle, but there is no established evidence that the remittances were used to finance Duterte’s political activities. The House prosecution has presented the transactions as part of its broader examination of Duterte’s financial and business records
“Kung natatandaan natin eh, unang nagpahayag na may interes tumakbo bilang pangulo sa 2028 si Vice President Sara Duterte,” Barbers noted.
Duterte formally announced her intention to seek the presidency in February 2026, placing her prospective candidacy under scrutiny as the Senate impeachment court examines her financial records and business interests.
The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has confirmed that Cale88 received P319,326,770.41 in aggregate inward remittances from mainland China and Hong Kong. Of the amount, about P315.94 million came from mainland China and P3.39 million from Hong Kong. The figures were based on covered transaction reports and suspicious transaction reports presented during the impeachment trial.
Corporate records presented during the trial also established that Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, was an incorporator, director and shareholder of Cale88 from 2021 to 2024, with his stake reaching 47.5% in 2024 before he divested in 2025. Duterte herself was not identified as a shareholder of Cale88, although she declared the company in her 2025 SALN.
“Pangalawa, bakit kaya dito pumapasok sa kumpanya na pagmamay-ari ng asawa ng ating pangalawang pangulo? Pangatlo, eh, itong pumasok bang perang ito, eh para saan ito?” Barbers questioned.
Barbers also cited former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV’s account of Cale88’s reportedly limited business operations, raising questions about whether its reported commercial activity could explain the substantial foreign remittances.
“According to him, eh dalawa lang ang empleyado, no? Pangalawa, ang gastos nito sa kanyang buwanang kuryente sa kanyang factory ay 8,000 pesos lamang, no?” he recounted.
Philippine election laws prohibit foreign contributions intended to influence elections, although establishing a violation would require evidence connecting the funds to prohibited political activities.
metrosundaily
